The Atlanta Orchid Society Bulletin The Atlanta Orchid Society is affiliated with the American Orchid Society, the Orchid Digest Corporation and the Mid-America Orchid Congress.

Newsletter Editor: Mark Reinke

June, 2011 www.AtlantaOrchidSociety.org Volume 52: Number 6

JUNE MONTHLY MEETING

8:00 pm Monday, June 13, 2011 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Day Hall

PROGRAM: “Mexican Orchids”

Wayman Bussey, Abundiflora www.abundaflora.com

Raised in Belle Glade and educated in Ornamental Horticulture and Botany at the University of Florida, Weyman’s love for orchids began at age 12 when he collected his first orchid in the Big Cypress swamps during a Boy Scout camping trip. A trip to the 7th World Orchid Conference in Colombia at the age of 17, inspired spectabilis in a Mexican species that him to live and work in the tropics where he could blooms at this time of year. It is unusual in that be nearest his real passion, wild orchids. it is deciduous and begins new growth rapidly in mid-spring to produce new stems, leaves and In his sought after presentation about Mexican flowers in just a few weeks time. orchids, given to over 75 societies during the past 20 years, he shows you how the geography of Photo courtesy Marble Branch Farms Mexico has influenced the evolution of more than a thousand species. He’ll keep you captivated and motivated throughout the presentation with door prizes for your participation. How about a cocktail for your orchids? Do you know the WANTS In this issue…. orchids have? This presentation is much more than Page a bunch of pretty flower pictures, it takes you into real Old Mexico in depth, teaches you how to 2 ATLOS Volunteer Listing choose the Mexican native orchid species best IPA Summer Meeting Agenda suited for your climate and how to grow them. 3 Events Calendar

A Note from the President You get a 4 page handout on culture, hailed by the best Hawaiian growers as, “the nail on the head 4 Minutes from May Meeting about growing orchids”! The power point presentation will also be available for all members to 5-9 May Ribbon Winners and Notes download from the abundaflora website at the 9 AOS Corner address given in the handout.

Weyman invites members to check out his website 10 Recent AOS Awards and email him to: [email protected] , any specific questions about any of the species in the table at http://www.abundaflora.com/species _categories.htm .

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THE ATLANTA ORC HID SOCIETY

Officers IPA SE Region Summer Meeting

President Saturday, June 4, 2011 Greg Smith 770-654-6170 Lines Orchids, Signal Mountain, TN

Vice-President/Programs 9 AM – 3:30 PM Geni Smith 678-817-1915 Agenda Secretary

David Mellard 770-488-0727 9 AM – Greenhouses Open – Hospitality and Sales Treasurer Danny Lentz 770-640-0112 10 AM – Announcements and Program (at Walden Town 1045 Wordsworth Dr. Center) Roswell, GA 30075 “New Approaches to Pest and Disease Control”

Immediate Past President Ron McHatton, PhD, American Orchid Society Maureen Pulignano 404-869-6980 Ron’s presentation was one the highlights of our 2010 Symposium held in Ontario, California. He brings his updated Trustees version to share with us. No matter what genera of orchids Mark Reinke 864-718-0152 you grow, you do not want to miss his presentation.

Fred Missbach 404-237-1694 11:30 AM – Lunch on your own – Lots’ of choices near the Barbara Barnett 706-579-2670 nursery, Mexican to fast food. David Glass 404-377-4187 1 PM – Part 2 Laurel Burrows 404-229-0706 “New Approaches to Pest and Disease Control” Hal Morrison 678-297-2705 Bring your problem and your questions to join in the

interactive discussion of improving the health of your orchid Other Volunteers collection. Live material and practical solutions will be Auction Chair – Fred Missbach discussed in the open workshop style format.

AOS Rep – Maureen Pulignano 2:30 PM – Auction to benefit the IPA Color Fund and Region Greengrowers – Greg Smith 12 (at Lines Orchids) Librarian – Ken Ramborger (Please bring selected divisions, keikis, mericlones and

MAOC Rep – Doug Hartong selected plants to donate to the auction.)

Meeting Hospitality – Cora Bell 3:30 PM – Meeting ends. Have a safe trip home! Ramborger

Membership Chair – Maureen Contact: Tom Harper, SE Region IPA

Pulignano Rep. [email protected]

Mentoring Coordinator – David Glass

Plant Raffle – Terry Glover

Monthly Ribbon Judging – David Kessler

Newsletter – Mark Reinke

Orchid Digest Rep – Fred Missbach

Show Chair 2011 – Barbara Barnett

Show Hospitality 2011 – Geni Smith (Exhibitors, Vendors and

Volunteers), Laurel Burrows Renanthopsis Persian Carpet (Judges’ Luncheon)

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A Note from the President Events Out and About Hello Everyone,

June I would like to invite everyone to our

June 4 – IPA SE Regional Summer Meeting June meeting. This month our speaker is Lines Orchids, Signal Mountain, TN Wayman Bussey his company is 9 am – 3:30 pm www.abundaflora.com . and he will be talking about Mexican orchids Species. I Jun 11 - American Orchid Society monthly understand he has a great judging, Atlanta Judging Center, 2 pm, ABG presentation and he will be bringing plants to basement workshop. sell at the meeting.

Jun 13 – Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly We are still working on our web site and Meeting, ABG, Day Hall – 8 p.m. have made some progress, but still have a long way to go. Don't forget the upcoming July Lines Orchid's green growers visit in Chattanooga. We also have a visit Jul 9 - American Orchid Society monthly scheduled for Rainbeau Orchids coming judging, Atlanta Judging Center, 2 pm, ABG soon. basement workshop. Thanks to all the new members hope we Jul 11 – Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly can keep up this momentum for the rest of Meeting, ABG, Day Hall – 8 p.m. the year. Summer Social and ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour of the ABG Greenhouses. Thanks hope to see you at the meeting!

Gregory Smith August

Aug 08 – Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly Meeting, ABG, Mershon Hall – 8 p.m.

Speaker: Mark Alan Reinke, Marble Branch Farms, Walhalla, SC Our Monthly Plant Raffle “Creating a New Orchid Hybrid From Worth a Closer Look! Seed to Bloom” You may want to keep an eye on the monthly

August 13 - American Orchid Society raffle. J&L Orchids donated two miniature monthly judging, Atlanta Judging Center, 2 orchids for the raffle and someone brought in pm, ABG basement workshop. Pleurothallis teagueii . Andy’s Orchids sells this plant for $125 and someone won it with a $1 September ticket. Someone also brought in a wonderfully grown, specimen pot of Bulbophyllum Sep 16-18 – Alabama Orchid Society lilacinum . Another steal at $1. Show, Birmingham Botanical Garden, Birmingham, AL

November

Nov. 13-20, 2011 - 20 th World Orchid Conference , Singapore. www.20woc.com.sg

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Atlanta Orchid Society 9. Doug Hartong read the monthly ribbon Meeting Minutes awards assisted by Gary Collier as Vanda White. May 9, 2011 10. Cornelia Head with J&L Orchids in CT gave a wonderful overview of 1. The meeting was called to order by intermediate- to warm-growing, miniature President Greg Smith at 8 P.M. orchids. The title of her talk was ‘Good 2. Greg mentioned the following upcoming Things Come in Small Packages.’ activities 11. Thanks go to J&L Orchids and Gene a. The Redlands International Gadilhe for donations to the raffle. Orchid Festival (May 13-15) at 12. Thanks to Bill Applegate, Terry the Spice Park in Homestead, FL, Glover, and Bob Grzesik who brought b. The Alabama Orchid Society snacks. show Sept 16-18 in Birmingham, AL, and Respectively submitted, c. The need for a society member to David Mellard volunteer to be the web administrator for the society’s JOIN THE AMERICAN website. Keith Coleman expressed an interest ORCHID SOCIETY

3. Out of 300 volunteers at the garden, • 12 issues of Orchids , the Society’s Marianne Gilmore was named the ABG monthly full color magazine chock full of volunteer of the month for January. insightful articles and tempting ads for Congratulations Marianne. plants and supplies. 4. The society approved the minutes of the April meeting. 10% off on purchases from the Society’s 5. David Mellard talked about an upcoming Bookstore and Orchid Emporium. contest for a new society logo. A Reduced or free admission to committee will put together some rules participating botanical gardens. for the contest, which will be announced For a limited time, if you join for two years you soon in the society’s newsletter. will also get a $30 gift certificate (good on an 6. Maurreen Pulignano was admitted to order of $100 or more) at any one of 13 hospital with complications from her commercial growers who advertise in Orchids. recent survey. Please keep her in your JOIN TODAY . prayers. Single Membership 1 year $65, 2 years $125 7. If you would like to help Maureen and Student Membership 1 year $40, 2 years $75 Geni Smith put in the exhibit at the JOIN OR RENEW ONLINE AT: www.aos.org Birmingham show in September, please contact them (Maureen: 404-869-6980; Geni: 678-817-1915). This is a great

way to learn about how exhibits are put JOIN THE ORCHID DIGEST

together. With a little experience, CORPORATION someday you could be training someone. The society offers partial Don’t let the name fool you, the Orchid reimbursements for expenses for those Digest is a non-profit membership-based organization dedicated to orchids. folks putting in an exhibit. Designed to appeal to the mid-range to 8. David Glass talked about the mentoring advanced grower, nothing beats the program for new members. If you’re a Orchid Digest . For just $34/year you get new member and have questions about 4 issues of full-color, in-depth articles orchids, contact David at 404-377-4187 about orchids. The magazine is large or [email protected] . He’ll either format and the fourth issue of the year is answer your questions or put you in always an extra-special issue devoted to contact with someone in the society who a single genus. For membership application forms contact Fred Missbach can. (404-237-1694)

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Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly conditions, with intermediate temperatures, regular water and fertilizer in summer, but less in Ribbon Winners May, 2011 the duller days of winter, and always avoid water By Mark Alan Reinke altogether when it is cool, cloudy and damp. For Photos courtesy Roy Harrow perspective when looking at the photo, the plant is currently in Aliflor (expanded clay pellets) in a Class I – Group ten inch plastic pot and this year produced twelve inflorescences.

Red – Brassocattleya Sarah Black ‘Big One’ – David Glass & Nancy Newton

White – Cattleya Ginny Champion ‘Riverbend,’ HCC/AOS – Geni Smith

Class II – Cymbidium Group

No Entries

Class III – Dendrobium Group

Blue – Dendrobium chrysotoxum – The Ramborgers

Unfortunately, the wrong plant was photographed so we do not have a photo of blue ribbon winning Den. Chrysotoxum to show you. This species is widespread in Southeast Asia,

typically on seasonally dry and deciduous Blue – Cattleya milleri ‘MBF’ – Gary Collier & tropical forests. The showy flowers only last 2 to Mark Reinke 3 weeks at best, but a well grown plant can Cattleya milleri is a rupiculous (rock dwelling) display hundreds of them, producing quite a species discovered barely 50 years ago, that, if memorable show. The sunny yellow blooms are still extant in the wild, occurs on iron ore up to 2 inches across, borne in arching outcrops in a small area of the state of Minas inflorescences of 10 to 20 from lateral buds near Gerais, Brazil. Due in part to over collecting, the top of the canes. The lip is fringed and and to a greater extent strip mining, this species highlighted by a throat that is either a deeper may now be entirely gone from its original orange yellow color or, in some varieties, a rich habitat. The short plants are flushed purple, and chestnut brown. The plants are of medium bear fat, somewhat conical pseudobulbs topped height, but eventually form large clumps, with by a single stiff pointed leaf held at an angle. club shaped pseudobulbs topped by several Each inflorescence is tall and topped by as leathery leaves that last several seasons before many as a dozen orange-red to blood red falling off. Even older, leafless growths can still flowers, often with yellow highlights on the lip. produce inflorescences. During the growing They tend to face all directions and open season, this species likes plentiful water, successively over about two months in late moderate light and regular feeding. After spring. The plants are rather slow growing and growths mature in fall, it prefers to receive a specimen such as this one takes many years brighter light, and especially in later winter, to achieve. Last year, with pollen donated from needs bright light, nights in the 50’s or lower, the ‘Carolina Ruby’ clone in the collection of and much less water in order to set buds Keith Davis, we were able to produce two fertile properly. Although Den. Chrysotoxum has been seed pods on this plant and have a number of used for a number of hybrids, few have earned seedlings in flask, helping to insure that good awards or been of any commercial examples of the species live on in collections of consequence. It seems it’s difficult to improve the future. We grow this plant under quite bright upon such a glorious species! Page 6 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org June, 2011

Red – Dendrobium transparens ‘Genevieve,’ pseudobulbs. Although it is impressive, an CHM/AOS – Doug Hartong example with 100 or more inflorescences would likely be necessary to earn a cultural award from White – Dendrobium johnsoniae – David the AOS today. The species likes bright filtered Glass & Nancy Newton light, a typical intermediate to warm temperature range, good air movement and good humidity. Class IV – Group Withner, in volume 5 of and their Relatives, published in 1998, wondered why it had not been used more in hybridizing, given its compact and floriferous nature. We have made a number of attempts at crosses without success, but have a couple of examples by other breeders pairing it with other Encyclia species, none of which seem to be any improvement over the parents. There was at one time an alba variety called ‘Seminole’ with green segments and a white lip with no purple markings, but this seems to have been lost to cultivation. It was awarded with both an Award of Merit and a Certificate of Botanical Merit by the American Orchid Society in 1977.

Red – Enclia randii - Gary Collier & Mark Reinke

White – Encyclia incumbens – Gary Collier & Blue – Encyclia bractescens – Gary Collier & Mark Reinke Mark Reinke

Encyclia bractescens is smaller than many in the genus and pays for the limited space it takes up with a profusion of blooms that last about two months each spring. Each individual flower is up to about 2 inches in spread with narrow petals that are typically bronze or brownish, but can be chestnut red in the showiest examples. This plant has unusual reddish brown petals that are tipped in yellow green. The lip is white, but overlaid with purple veins to the extent that it usually appears pink. Well grown plants like this one will produce inflorescences with one and rarely two side branches, holding about a dozen flowers each, and extending just beyond the foliage. The leaves are narrow, almost grass like and are produced two to three per small round to pear shaped bulb. This species comes from seasonally dry tropical forests along the Gulf slope of Mexico, and also in Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador. It does very well on a mount or in a basket with minimal additional media, but could be grown in a clay pot with very careful watering and durable open media. This particular specimen has been on the same stick mount for about seven years, and started out as a small plant with just a few Page 7 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org June, 2011

Class V – Oncidium Group Class VI – Cypripedium Group

Blue – Hamiltonara Golden Harry ‘Golden Anniversary,’ AM/AOS – David Glass & Nancy Newton

Hamiltonara = Ada + Brassia + Cochlioda + Odontoglossum. Hmtn. Golden Harry is (Banfieldara Gold Star x Odontioda Harry Baldwin) so the grex name was derived from combining the parent names. All of the various clones I have seen photos of show a nice golden yellow background overlaid with a chestnut brown, often in very striking patterns. The genetic complexity of this hybrid likely makes it tolerant of less than ideal conditions, but the majority of its species parents favor somewhat shaded light conditions and cool to intermediate temperatures. Higher light may produce better bloom, but will likely also lead to more spottiness on older leaves. Like all the complex Oncidinae hybrids, this one appreciates plentiful water and is best grown in a plastic pot with a media that retains some moisture, but drains well. Keep Blue – Paphiopedilum Toni Semple x William the size of the container just large enough to Trelease - Greg Smith accommodate a year’s new growth and provide fresh media every year if possible to maintain a This unusual combination of four multifloral healthy root system. species ( Paph. haynaldianum, lowii, parishii and rothschildianum ) exhibits a sky high Red – Psychopsis Kalihi – David Glass & inflorescence with an unusually high flower Nancy Newton count. This is apparently the influence of the one grandparent, Paph. parishii which can have White – Psychopsis (unknown) – Sondra up to eight flowers when well grown. Other than Nierenberg flower count, that species seems to have little

contribution to the look of the flowers, which are a blend of the appearance of the other three species involved. The overall effect is pleasing, though the spacing of each flower may be just a little too great for the best visual impact. The Page 8 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org June, 2011 parentage of this hybrid indicates that is would Red – Sweet Memory ‘Liodoro’ prefer to be grown in moderately bright, but – Greg Smith filtered light, and at temperatures in the intermediate to warm range. All Paphiopedilum White – Doritaenopsis Surf Song – Sondra generally appreciate a container that is relatively Nierenberg small for the plant size, filled with a moisture retentive, but well drained and fairly fine mix that Class VIII – Vandaceous Group is changed out regularly (typically once per year) to encourage a healthy root system. While considered terrestrial orchids, their roots rarely penetrate into the substrate or actual soil layer, but stay within the mat of decaying leaves and humus on the surface that is always slightly moist, but not soggy.

Red – Paphiopedilum St. Swithun – Roy Harrow

White – Phragmipedium besseae var. flavum – David Glass & Nancy Newton

Class VII – Phalaenopsis Group

Blue – Renanthera imschootiana – David Glass & Nancy Newton

Renanthera imschootiana comes from mountainous regions of Southeast Asia where it grows mostly in the 3,000 to 5,000 foot range above sea level. Like is Vanda cousins it is a lover of high light, preferring to be just barely shaded from full direct midday sun. It will take cooler conditions in winter than many Vanda due to the elevations at which it can grow. The inflorescence is held horizontally, and like our blue ribbon winner example, is often branched and many flowered providing a spectacular effect. Not all plants are as bright a red shade as this example, so it helps to purchase a plant in flower, or from known parents of high quality. Their roots resent disturbance, so they are best grown in a durable basket with only minimal Blue – Phalaenopsis Unknown – Gary large media to anchor the plant. It is advisable Layman not to trim the roots or the plant could be set back and they tend to flower only when grown This is a nicely grown plant with a beautiful under optimal conditions. After a good soaking, branched inflorescence. The irregular spotting the roots should be pliable to gently wrap around pattern may have been derived from breeding the basket and get them up out of the way if with one of the modern “Harlequin” types. Too necessary. Plenty of water and warmth in bad the name is not known so that we could summer, with somewhat less in winter, along explore this possibility further. with constant good humidity and air movement

Page 9 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org June, 2011 are the conditions this orchid needs to flourish. a paler yellow than the other yellow species with Ren. Imschootiana has been used in many inter- a slightly irregular upper edge. The sepals and generic crosses over the years, and many are petals can range from greenish yellow marked interesting enough. But the vastly unequal brown to nearly solid brown on some flower segments are a trait that doesn’t always specimens. It is now possible to purchase seed translate well in the offspring. grown plants of this and other native Cypripedium species, which, though expensive, Red – Ascocenda miniatum – Gene Gadilhe are more adaptable to conditions you might be

Red – Ascocenda Fat Tuesday – Gene able to provide in your own carefully prepared Gadilhe woodland garden.

White – Sedirea japonica – Gene Gadilhe Red – tenuifolia – The Ramborgers

White – Bulbophyllum thaiorum – The Class IX – Miscellaneous Ramborgers

Blue – Cypripedium kentuckiense – David Mellard & Sal Marino

This rare yellow ladyslipper was only botanically described as a separate species in 1981, though it has been known by botanists for many years. As the name implies, the chief population of it was first found in south eastern Kentucky. But subsequently, additional scattered populations have been identified in several other southern AOS Corner and south central states. It has the largest flower of any of our native Cypripedium, up to 4 Lynn Fuller, Chair inches from top to bottom, and robust AOS Affiliated Societies Committee specimens can sometimes produce two to a AOS is on the move. At the members meeting stem, one held a couple inches above the other. held in April, it was announced that all members The plants can reach 30 inches tall and form with email addresses would receive an invitation specimen clumps over time under ideal in early May to explore the AOS web site that conditions. They are normally found on wooded has been under development which also floodplains in fairly remote areas from the included the new Orchids Plus program and to Cumberland Plateau westward into the Ozark provide feedback. During that time, both web Plateau and nearby areas, but apparently not in sites will run simultaneously. When the new site Georgia, South or North Carolina. The pouch is is made active you’ll notice a new, fresh look to Page 10 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org June, 2011 the AOS website. It’s more than a cosmetic change. Along with upgrades and added Join the Atlanta Orchid Society material, the new Orchids Plus program will be available. If you are a current subscriber to Membership in the Atlanta Orchid Society is $30 AQ+, you will need to re-register in the new for individuals or $45 for households. Yearly program. AOS also anticipates a ‘social membership runs January 1-December 31. network’ component to the website and it is Anyone joining in the third quarter will get a 50% discount on the current year’s membership. currently under development. Anyone joining in the fourth quarter will purchase

In addition, at the Members meeting, the Board a membership for the following year. You can join at one of our monthly meetings, contact the of Trustees announced that a committee has society’s Treasurer (see page 2) for a been formed to assess the future strategic membership application, or complete an partners for the AOS. Possible strategic application online at our website: partners are Huntington Gardens in California, www.atlantaorchidsociety.org

Fairchild Botanical Garden in Florida and For directions to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. The please visit their web site at current AOS property in Delray is under contract www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org or contact one of for purchase and the potential purchaser is our society’s officers listed on page 2. going through some local zoning change requirements. It is anticipated that sale will be completed in the last quarter of 2011. RECENT ACTIVITY AT THE ATLANTA

JUDGING CENTER The traditional Affiliated Societies breakfast was well attended. We had a conversation of what The following awards were granted at recent the AOS means to the affiliated societies and sessions of the AOS judging center. They are what can the societies do to further promote the provisional awards pending publication by AOS. AOS. The AOS reps present at the meeting Certificates of Horticultural Merit and Certificates of asked for more communication between the Botanical Recognition are also provisional pending identification by an AOS certified taxonomist prior to AOS and the affiliated societies. The Affiliated publication of the award. Societies Committee members will be reaching out to the societies throughout the upcoming months with the goal of getting all the contact information corrected and updated.

Does your society have any special members that they would like to recognize? If so, AOS can provide Certificates of Appreciation for your society to use in recognizing them for their outstanding achievements or contributions. If you have a need for these certificates, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding the AOS in general, please feel free to contact me through [email protected] .

Cattleya [unnamed cross] ‘Johanna,’ AM/AOS C. Hawaiian Snowflake x C, Angelwalker ‘OC,’

AM/AOS

Exhibited by Fred Missbach